WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — More than 170 presidents of colleges, universities, and scholarly societies across the United States released a joint statement on April 22 condemning what they described as unprecedented political overreach by the Trump administration into higher education.
The statement, signed by leaders from a broad range of institutions including Harvard, Princeton, Brown, the University of Hawaii, and Connecticut State Community College, pushes back against what they call “undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.” While acknowledging the need for legitimate oversight, the academic leaders drew a firm line against politically motivated interference.
“We are open to constructive reform,” the statement reads, “but we must oppose efforts that seek to politicize governance and infringe on academic freedom.” As of Tuesday, the White House had not issued a response to the joint statement.
This wave of resistance follows rising tensions between Harvard University and the federal government. According to Reuters, the conflict came to a head on April 14, when Harvard rejected a series of demands from the Trump administration. These demands included oversight of the university’s faculty hiring, curriculum, and student body—efforts the administration said were aimed at combating perceived liberal bias and ensuring federal funds weren’t supporting racial discrimination or violence.
Just one day later, on April 15, the administration froze $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard. It also threatened to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status and its ability to enroll international students.
Harvard responded by filing a federal lawsuit on April 21, accusing the administration of violating constitutional protections around free speech and academic freedom. The suit also claims the federal government failed to follow procedural requirements laid out in civil rights law. In its court filing, the university argued that the administration is attempting to “coerce and control” internal operations for ideological reasons.
These tensions arrive amid broader federal scrutiny of academia. Since taking office in January, President Trump has criticized several top-tier universities for their handling of pro-Palestinian protests and what he alleges is rising antisemitism on campus. His administration has also aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as transgender rights policies, threatening to withhold federal funds from noncompliant institutions.
Columbia University was reportedly one of the early targets, but recent attention has zeroed in on Harvard. In a show of support, more than 60 current and former university presidents signed an open letter on April 15 backing Harvard President Alan Garber’s refusal to comply with federal demands.
“This is a pivotal moment for American higher education,” said one university president who signed the joint statement. “We must stand together against attempts to politicize our campuses and suppress academic freedom.”
